Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu arrived at the White House on Wednesday to hold talks with the President of the United States, Donald Trump, focused on the strategy towards Iran and the future of its nuclear and ballistics program.The Israeli head of government entered through a side entrance from Blair House, an official residence for visiting foreign dignitaries, according to an AFP photographer.
Netanyahu’s agenda in Washington responds to his government’s interest in the Trump administration applying a policy of maximum pressure on Tehran within the framework of the negotiations that both powers are maintaining regarding Iran’s nuclear and ballistic missile development.The meeting was organized quickly given the progress of diplomatic contacts between Washington and Tehran, which resumed last week in Oman.
President Trump stated in an interview with Axios that he is considering sending a second US army to the Middle East as a measure of pressure against Iran.“We have an armada that is heading there and another could be on the way,” said the president, who warned: “Or we reach an agreement, we will have to do something very hard like the last time.”The bilateral meeting between Trump and Netanyahu is scheduled for 11:00 (local time).
The visit represents the sixth time that Netanyahu has traveled to the United States since Trump’s return to the presidency in January 2025. The Israeli leader seeks not only to harden the American stance regarding the Iranian nuclear program, but also against Tehran’s ballistic missile capabilities, considered a direct threat by the Israeli government.
Iranian authorities warned on Monday of possible “destructive influences” in the diplomatic process prior to Netanyahu’s visit to Washington.The Israeli prime minister modified his agenda, advancing the trip that was initially scheduled for February 19, when he was scheduled to participate in a meeting of the so-called “Peace Council” on the situation in Gaza.
Tehran resumed talks with Washington in Oman last week.On Monday, Iranian officials warned of “destructive influences” on diplomacy ahead of the Israeli prime minister’s visit to the US capital.Netanyahu had planned to travel on February 19 to participate in a meeting of the so-called “Peace Council” on Gaza, but he moved up his agenda as contacts between the United States and Iran progressed.
On Tuesday night, already in Washington, Netanyahu held a meeting with Trump’s Middle East envoys, Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner.According to a statement published on the prime minister’s official account on the X network, the representatives “discussed regional issues and provided an update on the first round of negotiations they held with Iran last Friday.”
Trump expressed expectations about the possibility of a nuclear deal, although he warned that any understanding would have to include clear limits.In statements to Fox Business, he maintained that the pact would have to involve “no nuclear weapons, no missiles.”He also indicated that Iranian leaders “want to reach an agreement,” but stressed that “it has to be a good agreement,” and stated that Tehran had been “very dishonest with us over the years.”
